Marine hatchetfishes are so-named because of their distinct body shape - with the sharp row of scutes along the belly somewhat resembling a hatchet blade.

This large hatchetfish has upwardly-directed eyes, the body margin elevated behind the high dorsal blade, a deep tail base, and the ventral keel scales extending well below the abdominal photophores forming flaplike process.

The supra-abdominal, preanal, anal, and subcaudal photophores are in an almost continuous straight line, and there is a distinct gap between each subcaudal photophore.

Giant Hatchetfish,
Argyropelecus gigasNorman 1930

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Distribution

Widespread in all oceans except the North Pacific. Recorded in Australian waters from off Cape York, southwards around the country to off NW Western Australia, and widespread in the Tasman Sea. Usually occurs at depths between 200-1200 m, although mostly at 400-600 m.